I am 59 years old and have been taking care of my husband which has early onset Alzheimers. I just recently quit my job to take care of him. I feel so isolated I can not go anywhere with out taking him with me (when we leave the house he complains he has a stomach ache) so we have to return home. I have read your posts and all our friends have left also. He talks constantly and will not set down till sundowners kicks in then he gets angry . So, thats another issue.
Any help would be helpful, I feel so alone.
2. You should look to see if there is Adult Day Care in your area. Sending him to Day Care a few days a week will be a lifesaver for you. He will get a break and so will you. I am sure he will tell you he does not feel well when he goes but that is anxiety and he will get used to a routine. And there are medications that can help with his anxiety.
Have you talked to an Elder Care Attorney? If not you really need to schedule an appointment to get things going that you will need to set up. Will you have to apply for Medicaid for him at some point?
Is your husband a Veteran? If so depending on where and when he served he may qualify for help through the VA. It could be a little help or a LOT.
You mentioned he gets angry. When he gets angry does he get violent? If so this is something that you need to take into consideration down the road. Safety should be your priority. Your safety as well as his. If you get injured caring for him who will care for both of you? If you injure him while caring for him it can make things much more difficult. So while this is not urgent now PLEASE think about what you will do if it comes to making a decision about placing him in a Memory Care facility.
Find a support group in your area that you can attend. Some will offer respite if you have no one to watch him while attending a meeting.
She has cared for her hubby at home as long as she can--but he's becoming more belligerent and has started 'wandering' and she can't get a decent night's sleep b/c of it.
She is looking in placing him in a MC facility. He does not know who she is, so I guess that makes it a little easier on her.
She did have interim CG's and was mindful of her own need to stay healthy and strong and did so very gracefully. Even when he was challenging, she was sweet and calm with him. But she knew this day would come.
What is best for the patient?
What is best for me and my health?
Be honest with yourself and know there will be guilt either way.
You would be surprised how well patients do in a controlled environment. Sometimes they thrive.
As for depression, the cycle will have to be broken. You can’t do the same thing everyday and expect different results.
Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb. ... For example, it can boost brain function, lower blood sugar and cortisol levels, and help fight symptoms of anxiety and depression. ... Summary Ashwagandha is a prominent herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and has become a popular supplement due ...
www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-ashwagandha-benefits#1
The brand recommended to me is Gaia, but there are many brands on the market.
Not sure if you are depressed or lonely. Loneliness is usually treated by getting involved with other people: hobbies, volunteer, work... Depression is treated through multiple approaches: medications, exercise, light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy...
I would suggest trying the "cure" for loneliness - get involved with others. Try to find a senior exercise class - and make hubby go with you. Try other senior activity options at churches, libraries, local senior center... They will all be able to cope with your hubby's behavior issues. May I also suggest, having a part time aide a couple days each week so you can get out to work, socialize, run errands without your hubby. You may need to have "your" friends and "our" (you and hubby) friends to meet your belonging/social needs.
If hubby complains about anything to avoid going out, it is because he craves familiar, controllable situations. Try to create a routine where you both regularly go out into public: grocery store, place of worship, library, doctor appointments... so he will be ok with being out of the house. You may find he will do better going out in the mornings and early afternoons. Try to create little routines for going out that may help him to cope: putting on shoes, putting on jacket and hat, getting backpack/purse filled with "going out" supplies....
I do keep in touch with out of town friends via computer and text. So have that conversation.
My husband talks alot, non stop, about nothing. But I have found out cutting out caffine and sugar has really helped slow that down. But when he does that when the TV is on, I put my TV head phones on and I can enjoy the program, or go in the next room and work on my puzzle for awhile.
With being a caregiver, we have to take care of ourselves. Try to catch your breath more often and do something for yourself each day.
The cruel thing about life no matter what happens those bills keep on flooding in.